Monday - June 27

Summer Lecture Series - Making Sense of Walt: A Psychodynamic Understanding of Racism

Walt Kowalski, the lead character in Clint Eastwood's 2008 movie Gran Torino, is clearly racist. His explicit and brazen racism is an unmistaken expression of his hatred. So what can we learn from Walt? Inspired by a contemporary Kleinian perspective, this lecture explores a psychodynamic understanding of racism using Gran Torino as a case study. In particular, we examine Kleinian concepts of paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions, projection, projective identification, splitting, envy, guilt, love, hate, and reparation. Holding central the dynamic interaction of the psyche and social and the unconscious, this analysis offers a valuable perspective on Walt, and more importantly, a window into our selves. The implications of this analysis for antiracist strategies, education, and clinical practice are explored.

Tuesday - June 28

Wednesday - June 29

Writing Workshop - Grammar, Punctuation and Mechanics Review

Wednesdays, June 15, 22, and 29, 12:30-1:30pm, Seelye 307

This three-session workshop will review common errors and stylistic dilemmas encountered by graduate-level writers through discussion and exercises. Participants should try to attend all three sessions.

To register for the workshop, please add your name to the sign up sheet outside the door to Seelye 307. Please feel free to bring your lunch!

Council for Students of Color Member Meeting

Wednesday, June 29, 5:45-6:45pm, Ziskind Living Room

Join us for our general meeting providing a space to be yourself for all students of color (both masters and doctoral levels). We are a support and advocacy group that wants to know how students of color are doing on campus. Feel free to bring your dinner and your kids. See you there!

Unlearning Racism Group

Wednesday, June 29, 5:45-6:50pm, Ziskind Parlor

The foundational principles of the group are an emotional space, mutual support and accountability around issues of race and racism. This group is open to the entire student body and has historically been a space for white students to unpack, share, and reflect on privilege and embedded internal racism.

Thursday - June 30

Friday - JULY 1

Saturday - JULY 2

Sunday - JULY 3

After juLY 3

Writing Workshop - Surviving Your Thesis: A Strategies Workshop for Second Year Students

Wednesdays, July 6 and 20, 12:30-1:30pm, Seelye 307

This workshop will provide second year students with helpful tips for writing their theses. The format will be an informal discussion of successful strategies as well as a question and answer period. Participants need only attend ONE session.

Please feel free to bring your lunch!

Writing Workshop - Writing Clearly and Concisely

Monday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 27, 12:30-1:30pm, Seelye 307

This two-session workshop will focus on editing techniques for making social work writing more powerful and effective. Included will be discussion of active and passive voice, sexist language, and word choice. Participants should try to attend both sessions.

Please feel free to bring your lunch!

Administrative Announcements

Next Issue of the Bulletin

The next issue of the Bulletin will be available on July 5. The deadline for this issue is still Thursday, June 30, 10:00am.

From Campus Police: Safety Tips & Emergency Contact Numbers

Remember: do not walk alone at night, especially in dark, vacant areas and avoid shortcuts through woods, alleys, etc. Help others walk safely by teaming up with another community member when walking at night. If you must walk alone, walk directly to your destination on well-lighted paths. Look alert and be aware of your surroundings. Let a friend know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

For community members and guests who are staying in our campus houses: remember to always leave your room doors and windows locked. Don't let strangers into your room - meet visitors and delivery people at the main door (they can phone you from the entrance by using the access phones located outside of each house). Never prop open dooors outside residence houses or other buildings. Do not leave your keys or your OneCard unattended in public places or in the pockets of an article of clothing (e.g. sweater, jacket) that you are not wearing.

If you are involved in (or become aware of) an accident or health emergency of any kind, call Campus Police.

Campus Phone

Off-campus phone

Emergency

Ext. 800

413-585-2499

Campus Police Office

Ext. 2490

413-585-2490

Please program the emergency and business line numbers for Campus Police into your cellphone.

Please remember that the Campus Police are available 24-hours a day to assist you with any emergencies or problems that you may encounter while at Smith College.

Course Evaluations

Student evaluation of courses is a program requirement (see Master's Program Handbook, section 200.7C). Failure to complete a course evaluation by the deadline will result in:

grade/transcript hold

registration hold

diploma hold

The deadline for Term 1 course evaluations is Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:00pm. Instructions here.

Missing Dorm Furniture

From Michele Bala: It has come to my attention that pieces of furniture from the living rooms in the dorms have gone missing, particularly armchairs. Please remember that students may not remove furnishings from common areas for personal use. You will be billed $50 for each piece of furniture that was moved.

Commencement Regalia Ordering FOR FACULTY

If you are attending Commencement, the deadline for ordering regalia from the Grecourt Bookshop is July 1. The school covers the cost of faculty regalia rental is you do not own your own outfit. When you place your order at the bookshop, please indicate to them that you are SSW faculty. Bookstore staff will require your height, cap size and weight to ensure a good fit. (Orders received after July 1 may incur additional shipping fees and the vendor cannot guarantee availability.) Regalia orders will arrive at the bookshop the week of August 15 to be picked up. Any rentals must be returned to the bookshop in their entirety within one week of graduation.

Summer hours at the bookshop are Monday - Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm; phone is 413-585-4140.

Commencement Regalia Information FOR STUDENTS

If you are attending Commencement, the deadline for ordering regalia from the Grecourt Bookshop is July 1. Master's regalia can be purchased for $76.00 for the entire outfit (cap, tassel, hood, and gown). The rental fee for a doctorate outfit is $44.00. Bookstore staff will require a credit card number to place your order as well as your height, cap size and weight; indicate whether you area an M.S.W. or Ph.D. candidate of SSW and provide your daytime contact information. Orders received after July 1 may incur additional shipping fees, and the vendor cannot guarantee availability. Summer hours at the bookshop are Monday-Friday, 9:00-4:00pm, and the phone number is 413-585-4140. Regalia orders will arrive at the bookshop the week of August 15 to be picked up. Any rentals must be returned to the bookshop in their entirety within one week of graduation.

Counseling and Therapy Databases on Trial this Summer

Two databases of potential interest to social work students and faculty are currently on trial:

Counseling and Psychotherapy Transcripts, Client Narratives, and Reference Works

Thesis Information

To all Class of 2011 Thesis Students

Please contact Laura Wyman if you did not receive the important and time sensitive email from Dr. Joanne Corbin, research sequence chair, during the first week of classes regarding thesis completion requirements. This information was sent to your campus mailbox.

You can find extra copies of materials handed out at the dissemination meeting on June 15 outside Laurie's office, Lilly 218. Please complete the pink research presentation plans form and forward to Laurie ASAP.

General Notices

Final Chance to Buy Council T-Shirts

Still waiting to buy your "I See Color" t-shirts? Please come to this term's last opportunity to buy these great shirts on Tuesday, July 5. We will be selling in Cutter-Ziskind during lunch. Shirts are $10 and $15 so please bring CASH. See you then!

"Public Safety" is Now Campus Police

On June 1, Campus Police changed their name (formerly Public Safety) and their location. Campus Police offices are now in the Smith College Facilities building on 126 West Street.

Ongoing Events

Anti-Racism Task Force

Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30pm, Dewey Common Room

Come be a part of the commitment to our Anti-Racism Mission. The Anti-Racism Task Force has been the engine for many of the changes brought about at Smith SSW as we have along with our anti-racism commitment. The Task Force has been a very collaborative effort and a place where all constituents of the school have had a chance to work together.

Dean's Conversations

The dean's conversation is an opportunity for any member of the SSW community to explore contemplative practices, as well as to bring forth issues and ideas of importance to our community.

Jewish Student Alliance (JSA) Weekly Meeting

Tuesdays, 12:45-1:30pm, Ziskind Living Room

Are you Jew-curious? come have lunch with the good folks of Jewish Students Alliance (JSA) and join in our continued curiosity and exploration of Judaism!

JSA embraces a full spectrum of Jewish experiences and identity, including those with a strong religious background, those for whom being Jewish is important culturally, those with little knowledge about being Jewish, and those students who wish to connect with an aspect of Judaism. The group's format is a weekly informal discussion on a topic related to being Jewish, and time set aside for planning events including speakers and community-building activities.

LGBTQQIF Alliance General Meeting

Tuesdays, 5:45-7:00pm, Ziskind Living Room

The Alliance is a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community and our allies at Smith SSW. All are welcome to join in as we build community, learn from one another and ourselves, and foster constructive action and dialogue. Feel free to bring your dinner!

Pedagogy and Diversity Seminars

Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm, Seelye 101

Term 1 - Ann Marie Garran and Joshua Miller

Term 2 - Norma Akamatsu and Joshua Miller

The Pedagogy and Diversity Seminar seeks to support all faculty teaching at SSW by creating a space where professor can discuss how issues of diversity, social identity and social oppression influence their teaching, the classroom environment, student interactions, and the overall campus culture and climate. Pedagogy and diversity is a major vehicle for furthering the SSW's anti-racism mission statement by deepening the capacity of faculty to explore and develop their awareness and skills to manage the inclusion of this content while also processing issues that arise in the classroom. The seminar will include a mixture of discussion, problem solving, presentations, and exercises that will be developed by participants and the facilitators. The minutes of each pedagogy and diversity session are posted on Moodle and distributed to all SSW faculty for information and resource sharing, comment and dialogue. All who are teaching at SSW are welcome.

CEUS are available for this seminar. Faculty attending four of the five sessions will receive 10 CEUs at the end of the summer (upon completing an evaluation). We are happy to offer this at no cost to our wonderful adjunct faculty.